Witcher's 'Schools' a Myth? Andrzej Sapkowski Says Game Lore Based on Error

The Witcher's Lore: A Canonical Misconception Unveiled by Andrzej Sapkowski

For years, the established lore of The Witcher universe, particularly the distinct schools of witchers, has been accepted as gospel by legions of fans. However, in a recent revelation that has sent ripples through the fandom, Andrzej Sapkowski, the visionary author behind the saga, has declared a fundamental aspect of this lore to be a fabrication – an accidental inclusion that spiraled into a fan-favorite myth. This seismic statement challenges the very foundation of what many believed to be canonical.

An Accidental Sentence, a Persistent Myth

Sapkowski, in a candid Q&A session on Reddit, directly addressed the pervasive notion of various witcher schools, such as the famed School of the Wolf. He adamantly stated that such distinctions were never his intention. "One sentence about some 'School of the Wolf' mysteriously made its way into 'The Last Wish'," the author explained. He further elaborated that he considered this single mention "unworthy of development and narratively incorrect, even detrimental to the plot." Consequently, he made a conscious decision to never revisit or elaborate on this idea in subsequent writings, explicitly stating, "Therefore, I never included or mentioned any witcher-Grindewalds or Slytherins. Never." The irony, Sapkowski pointed out, lies in how this solitary sentence became the bedrock for a much larger, and in his view, unnecessary, expansion of witcher affiliations by others.

The author's frustration stems from the persistent adoption of this concept, particularly by game developers. He remarked, "However, that one sentence was enough. Adaptors, especially those involved in video games, clung to this idea with extraordinary persistence and surprisingly multiplied these 'witcher schools.' Absolutely superfluous." This strong sentiment highlights a disconnect between the author's original vision and its subsequent interpretations, especially within the highly popular game adaptations produced by CD Projekt Red, who hold the rights to the game's narrative development.

The Primacy of the Written Word

Beyond the specific lore of witcher schools, Sapkowski also shared his perspective on adaptations, both television and game. While acknowledging their existence, he maintained a firm belief in the inherent superiority of the written word. "I'll put it this way: there is the original, and there are adaptations," he stated. He emphasized that regardless of an adaptation's quality, there is an unavoidable chasm between the literary source and its visual or interactive counterparts. "It's impossible to translate words into images without loss, and there can be no connection here." For Sapkowski, adaptations primarily serve as visualizations, a process that inherently diminishes the depth and nuance found in prose. "The written word always and decisively triumphs over images, and no image, animated or otherwise, can compare to the power of the written word," he asserted, underscoring his profound respect for literature's enduring impact.

No Grand Interpretations Planned

Adding to the candid nature of the interview, Sapkowski also revealed that he has no plans to publish his personal notes or detailed explanations regarding the interpretation of his Witcher books. "What is on the internet can stay on the internet, but I will not supplement or expand it," he declared. This suggests that fans seeking definitive authorial pronouncements on specific plot points or character interpretations will likely find none forthcoming, reinforcing the idea that the books stand as the definitive text, open to individual reader interpretation.

The interview, which delved into various aspects of the Witcher's "life" beyond the novels, including his views on translation accuracy and other fascinating details, offers a unique glimpse into the mind of the creator. It serves as a poignant reminder that while adaptations can be compelling, the original literary works remain the author's ultimate testament, a fact underscored by Sapkowski's recent clarification on a long-standing fan theory.